Electric ratchet spanners

[JohnFol]

Morning all, I've been looking at the increasing use of battery operated ratchet spanners and might get one. Most reviews seem to avoid the big brand names so a bit sceptical.

I already have a 1,000 Nm impact wrench for the heavy stuff so I'm after something for the more normal bolt loosening and tightening.

Does anyone have any experience or recommendations?

[SanRemo78]

I recently had to buy a Clarke CEW1000 Impact Wrench for a little job on the Fiat Panda (Strut replacement) and it was superb. It's a mains 450Nm one and now I'm wondering why I didn't buy one before. Probably because it's £90 or so and then you might end up buying a ton more impact sockets.....

Guy

[JohnFol]

Indeed, I wish I had got my impact driver years ago!

These electric ratchets are a little different.. they are less impact, and more smooth turning. Other difference is they are less drill shaped so they can fit most places you can put a spanner due to a 90 degree head.

[WestonE]

I bought a Sealey one at the NEC Last year. I went with the more compact pistol format because I think it fits well in smaller spaces and is easier to hold. Although the format that is like a long traditional ratchet suits some situations better.
It is more powerful and capable than I expected with very good battery life despite the battery being very compact.

I already own a beast of a Milwaukee 18V impact driver for large stubborn things and a brushless Makita impact screwdriver that can take an adapter to drive sockets. The Sealey item is cheap and simple and you can of course get multi tool kits.
   https://www.toolden.co.uk/power-tools/cordless-kits/sealey-cp1200combo2-12v-cordless-power-tool-combo-6pc-kit/?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw17qvBhBrEiwA1rU9w7CT0k7gP0gW35JIOMTqURndKRNb7Y_nM4wBdyqt-l8J0ve8XSGV5hoCjDYQAvD_BwE

Eric

[chrisc]

I bought a cheapy posenpro one, handy for relatively low torque applications - which most stuff is.

[HFStuart]

Especially handy where you can only get 1/12 of a turn with a normal spanner or ratchet.

[mangocrazy]

Isn't a manual, mechanical ratchet ring spanner the ultimate solution in a really cramped space? Electric ratchets are OK if you have the depth of workspace for a socket plus the electric ratchet head, but can't compete with a ratchet ring spanner. I have a set of Facom ratchet spanners and they get used a lot...

[WestonE]

Hi Graham

Zero back lash ratchets are ideal manual tools. But what happens when you have depth but little room to swing a ratchet? BTW I have excellent Facom ring spanners and I am VERY careful to have ratchets and ratchet spanners with little backlash and the ability to be trusted not to slip losing the skin from my knuckles.

Eric

[JohnFol]

It's also the time saving element. .. the number of times I've removed the air filter lid and box....